A delegation of Azerbaijan led by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov took part in the 114th session of the Council of Europe Committee of ministers held in Strasbourg on May 12-13.

Prior to the session, Minister E. Mammadyarov met with COE Secretary General Walter Schwimmer. During the meeting, the Minister signed a protocol on changes in anti-terror Convention of 1977, the parties discussed fulfillment by Azerbaijan of its commitments to the Council of Europe and continuation of CE’s assistance to the country in this sphere. The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan updated the COE Secretary General in detail on the activity aimed at settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

The Minister further met with members of the Committee Minister’s Ago monitoring group to discuss Azerbaijan’s fulfillment of the commitments to COE, measures taken in country for implementing democratic reforms, and perspectives of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict resolution. Pointing to the positive results of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the Council of Europe, the Minister emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the organization.

In accordance with the session’s first day agenda, Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov delivered a report on political issues and reformation of the European Court on Human Rights. On the point “current political issues”, he stressed the importance of the Council of Europe in creation of the United Europe without borderlines, expressed Azerbaijan’s position towards this process.

The Minister also touched upon the bitter consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict hampering development of South Caucasus region, initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan for elimination of these problems. He also drew the meeting participants attention to the exceptional role of the European Human Rights Court in protection of human rights and freedoms, and stated that Azerbaijani supports the new 14th protocol of the European Human Rights Convention aimed at reformation of the Court and improvement of its efficiency.

Later on the same day, Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenian held meeting in presence of the OSCE Minsk group co-Chairs at the office of he permanent representation of France to the Council of Europe.

On the 13th of May, the 114th session of the Committee of Minister continued its work. During the meeting presided by new Chairman of the Committee Jan Petersen, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov supported the idea of conducting 3rd Summit of the Council of Europe underlining the importance if inclusion of topical issues, particularly that of conflicts settlement, in its agenda. He noted that consequences of the conflicts have a negative impact upon realization of the European values in developing countries.

Speaking of the combat against terrorism, Mr. Mammadyarov stated that he supports COE related efforts, particularly, preparation of the general anti-terror convention, told of the terrorist acts committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan and their bitter consequences, and emphasized the need to intensify the combat against aggressive separatism. The Minister, however, noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the values common to all mankind and dialogue between cultures.

In conclusion of the session, the Foreign Ministers of the COE member state adopted final official statement of the 114th session, and Statement on advanced experience in the sphere of elections to the effect that the unsolved conflicts pose threat to security, territorial integrity and stability in the member countries, and pike fear into their populations.

Another document adopted by the Ministers and concerning the results of the Committee Minister’s Chairman says that the Committee welcomes the three Azerbaijan President’s decrees on pardon, and supports continuation of the way of national reconciliation and democratic reforms.

It also welcomes the fact of continuation - parallel with the session of - of the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan under the trusteeship of the OSCE Minsk Group, and reminds the commitments to the Council of Europe assumed by both countries in entry.

On the same day, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with PACE rapporteur on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict Terry Davis to exchange views on the current situation.

Beside, COE Secretary General Walter Schwimmer held a meeting with Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss the fulfillment of obligations on the conflict’s resolution assumed by the member states, and the relevant contribution of the Council of Europe.

On the same day, Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia met in presence of the Minsk group co-Chairs at the office of he permanent representation of France to the Council of Europe.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov had a separate meeting with the co-Chairs as well.